Life Lessons from Our Pets!

3 Pet Businesses You Can Start For Under $10,000by Cash Miller

Business should be about doing what you love to do. And if you love being around animals then there are business opportunities that can allow you to do just that. And really what more can a person ask for except to make a good living while doing something you enjoy. Besides they say people that have pets live a longer life. So what else could you possibly ask for in a business? Here are three businesses that you can start for under $10,000.1. Animal Grooming: This business has multiple possibilities. You can specialize in either dogs or cats. Or you can handle both but be careful if you do because they don't always get along. You also have the option of having a permanent location or starting such a business out of your home. And you can even have a mobile business as well. To keep the cost under $10,000 it's recommended that this business gets started out of your home. This way people can bring their pets to you. As an added benefit people today love to spend money on their pampered pets. So clients shouldn't be to hard to find.

2. Dog Walker: Here is a good business with the added benefit of getting plenty of exercise. Not everyone has the time to walk their dogs but they know that their pets need to get out of the house too. And that is where you come in. Most dog walkers can charge between $6 and $12 an hour but you can usually walk at least three dogs at a time. Staying in shape while earning $20 or more an hour can be a pretty good deal. And as a bonus there is virtually no overhead or supplies needed.

3. Doghouses: Put your creative talents to good use. Creating an outside home for man's best friend can be a great way to make a living. If you have a creative side and some carpentry skills then you've got the ability to prosper in this business. Because so many people are willing to spend on their pets this can be a lucrative opportunity. Many pets are kept outside and they need shelter too. Giving them a nice place to stay can make for a very nice business.

If you love animals then one of these three opportunities might be a good way for you to go. The start-up costs for these businesses are all quite low and so are the operating costs. In addition you can help out a lot of furry friends in your neighborhood get the love they need.

About the AuthorCash Miller is an expert in small business affairs. To receive more tips that can help your business and let you to crush your competition you can sign up for his FREE Newsletter at http://www.smallbusinessdelivered.com/free-newsletter-signup.html . Once you've signed up you'll receive access to 5 FREE E-Books that can help your business prosper. And as a Bonus FREE Newsletter Members can expect to receive an additional FREE E-Book each week.

**Editors Note: The following was originally published on August 16th. We think this is special enough to periodically republish for our newer readers. Thank you.

Birthday money from grandparents can buy many things; but a Bella Vista boy believed the animal shelter needed it more and he did something about it.

Matt Hundley, 11, donated $ 25 to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter after seeing the appeal for donations on the news.

"We were watching TV, and it showed that animals needed help and treatment - that all the (donations ) had gone down to the hurricane," said Matt.

The boy was referring to news accounts last month surrounding Wal-Mart's redirecting of pet food donations from shelters in this area to storm victims in Texas and Louisiana.

Bella Vista Animal Shelter Director Donna Miles made an impassioned plea to the community for help. She had, at the time, only about three days of adult dog food left. If things didn't improve before Wal-Mart donations began flowing again, Miles said decisions would have to be made on which animals received medical care and which ones would need to be euthanized so that those remaining could be fed.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Albuquerque is trying to prevent pets from being abandoned by families and senior citizens who are having a tough time making ends meet and can no longer feed their dog or cat.

Petco Animal Supplies Inc., through its foundation, will donate 2 tons of pet food each month to The Storehouse, an Albuquerque organization that helps low-income people with such things as clothing and household goods, Mayor Martin Chavez announced Tuesday.

People also can donate pet food to St. Vincent de Paul for the low-income families, take pet food to The Storehouse themselves or leave it at any city fire station, he said.

The program, which began Tuesday, is administered by The Storehouse at no cost to taxpayers, he said. "I think that's as good as it gets," the mayor said.

Chavez read a national news article about tough economic times forcing people to give up their pets and wanted to do something to keep people from having to make "those terrible choices" between feeding their pet or being able to afford their own food and medicine.

"And animals lose out," he said.

Albuquerque's animal shelter takes in 27,000 animals a year, about 7,000 of which have been abandoned by their owners for a variety of reasons, said Jeanine Patterson, director of the city's animal welfare department.

City officials, in discussing partnerships with Petco, mentioned wanting donations of pet food for low-income families, Patterson said. Petco representatives pointed them to the company's foundation.

That resulted in the donation - "fresh food coming right out of the factory, 2,000 pounds a month," Patterson said.

"We're trying to keep people from having to give up that animal. ... They should be lifelong members of the family," she said.

Petco Foundation, the charity arm of Petco, said this summer it was establishing a national program to provide up to $5,000 in grants to shelters to train, care for or find new homes for pets abandoned during the foreclosure crisis. The program also was designed to supply food to disadvantaged homeowners who want to keep their animals.

Albuquerque needed a way to distribute the food in a fair way and turned to The Storehouse because it already has screened low-income clients, Chavez and Patterson said. The Storehouse hasn't previously offered pet food to help families keep pets, they said.

There are pet food pantries in other communities. The Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge, Ill., runs one, as does the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Santa Cruz, Calif., for example.

Chavez said he had no idea how many people might take advantage of the pet pantry.

"We'll see how this goes," he said. "If the demand very quickly outstrips supply, we may be talking to other large manufacturers to help."

Dog Years Human YearsAuthor: Dog Care Tips

The life expectancy of any dog is commonly expressed in terms of dog years by us and it depends entirely on the dog's breed, size as well as the dog's surroundings. Various other factors affect the life expectancy of a dog. A dog's life span changes according to the diet provided to him and also by the number of medical problems the dog tends to face over the years.

The average life span of the small dog like Chihuahua is about 15 to 16 years, while medium sized the dogs like Border Collies have a life span of 10 to 13 years. It can be noticed big dogs like Great Dean live up to only 7 to 8 years. The calculation of the life expectancy of particular dog can be accurately done with the help of "size or the specific breed calculator", which is said to be one of the most accurate age measurement schemes available. The size or specific breed calculator gives approximate results about the dog's predictable lifespan based on the size as well as the breed of the dog.

It is generally assumed that, on an average, "one human year equals to seven dog years". This statement may not be appropriate, since the first two years are jointly represented by 18-25 years in such schemes and because the entire ratio cannot be generalized for all the dogs though, they belong to different sizes and breeds. An exact ratio of dog years vs. human year cannot be formulated. However, some obvious features remain similar between both aging humans and dogs.

It is generally assumed that the human equivalent of a one-year dog is supposedly fully grown by both mental and physical aspects. Dogs like humans tend to develop advance muscular features as they grow along with a similar mental development. Through a major dog study, it has been estimated for dogs of all breeds and sizes that, nearly "64 percent of dogs" were euthanized because they were affected with some kind of diseases. Only 8 percent of the total dogs live beyond 15 years and nearly 16 percent of them die yearly due heart diseases and cancer. Human lives are not terminated even if they suffer from rare and incurable diseases; and this is the main reason why the lifespan of an average human being is reasonably long.

The effects of aging in dogs is said to be dormant for several years. But like humans, dogs to undergo physical changes as well. The first sign of aging in dogs is said to be the decrease in its activity levels. The sleeping period in these dogs also becomes longer. The canines experience a drastic change in their skin condition, limb usage, appetite and they experience tooth loss as well. Their sense of hearing and vision also diminishes gradually. Older dogs tend to experience stiffness in their body. All these obvious signs of aging can even be found in humans. The human years are extended only because of advance modern medicine and various other drugs that are designed to deal with symptoms of old age.

Dogs and humans may not have the same physiology, yet some obvious similarities can be noticed when both species age. Dog years and Human years may not be directly related by some advance equation, but to the naked eye the equivalence of corresponding features of Dog years and Human years are quite visible.

A Detailed Guide to Grooming your CatAuthor: Andrew Mcgregor

To keep your cat happy, healthy and clean it is essential to properly groom your cat. By reading this section you will learn how and when to groom your cat and also what equipment to use. You will learn how to brush your cat, bath your cat, how to clean your cats ears and how to look after your cats teeth.

Brushing and combing your cat

Cats spend 10 percent of their waking hours grooming themselves by licking dirt and excess fur of their coat but this is not enough to properly keep them clean and some cats do not clean themselves properly. You should brush and comb your cat on a regular basis. Short-hair cats are much easier to groom than long-hair cats. If you are unsure of what your cat is, visit the breeds section. When you are grooming your cat you should be alert and checking for fleas, scars, wounds and lumps.

The first thing you need to know is the difference between a cat comb and a cat brush. A cat comb is used to remove excess hair, remove knots and to remove dirt. A cat brush is to fluff up the fur and make it smooth and look good. If you own long-hair cat I would recommend buying both a comb and a brush as you will learn later on, if you own a short-hair cat it is not as important but you can if you want.

You could alternatively choose to buy a cat grooming kit which includes a comb, brush and everything else you need. You can buy the right equipment from your local pet shop but you could also consider buying online. There are many different combs and brushes to choose from and all of them have their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to get the best results and not spend a fortune you should buy a wide toothed comb, a brush and a flea comb. This should all cost under $10 USD.

It is a waste of time brushing your cat with a normal comb/brush. The advantages of using a cat brush is that it shelters the natural body oils, the bristles gently remove tangles and after brushing your cat it will have a shiny, good looking and healthy coat. But most importantly it is designed to remove excess hair, then in future when your cat cleans itself it does not swallow as much hair, preventing it from having a hairball.

If you have a kitten, it should be brushed from an early age so it becomes accustomed to the process and doesn't find it a scary and distressing experience. It will enjoy the grooming procedure but most of all you will not have to train it later on in its life. If you have an adult cat that does not like to be brushed and finds the experience frightening, introduce grooming slowly and do not make the sessions more than five minutes. If this does not work you could try ending the grooming session with playtime so your cat will look forward to it each day. One of the most important things to remember is that a short session each day is better than a long session each week.

As I briefly mentioned before, short hair cats are easier to groom than long-hair cats, it is a bit more difficult and the process can take a bit longer. If you own a short-hair cat you should groom it on a weekly basis or every few days and it should take from 5 to 10 minutes. If you own a long-hair cat grooming should be done everyday or every two days and it should take about 10 to 20 minutes. By now you are probably thinking 'how can you brush a cat for 20 minutes'. The grooming process is not just brushing but is also cleaning nose and ears if necessary and sometimes brushing your cat's teeth. For more information about these, read on.

To groom your cat, follow these easy steps:

-Place your cat on a bench or table. It depends on what your cat is most comfortable with; some owners brush their cat on their laps.

-Gently brush from head to tale using short and gentle strokes with your comb to remove knots, do not pull hard otherwise it will hurt and distress your cat, making the experience unpleasant and enjoyable. For best results also brush under its neck and stomach. If you have a flea comb, brush again from head to tale.

-Use a brush to fluff up the fur, if you are unsure of what brush to use ask your local pet shop. A cat brush is good for your cat's appearance and health and can be brought from a number of different places.

Bathing your cat

It is not necessary to bath your cat unless it becomes very dirty. Most people who have prize-winning cats bath their cat on a regular basis. Many cats do not like water and find a bath a frightening and traumatic experience. If you ever need to bath your cat, the below information will tell you how. The first thing you need to do is to brush your cat to remove excess hair and dirt. Talk to your cat with relaxed voice to keep it as calm as possible and do no make quick movements. Have everything ready before you start which should consist of 4-6 towels, shampoo, a hair dryer and cotton balls. You can use special cat shampoo or you can use regular shampoo but it really doesn't make a difference.

Use cotton balls to protect water from getting into your cats ears. If your cat has smaller ears use only half or even a quarter. If you have a bathroom or laundry hose, use it because it makes it much easier. If you don't have a hose use a cup or plastic container. You should not wear good clothes because the chances are that you will end up as wet as your cat. Wash your cat in a bath or a laundry sink. Start by wetting it with warm water. Avoid wetting its eyes and ears as much as possible unless it particularly dirty.

Hold your cat firmly because it will try to escape and probably bite and scratch you. Once the cat is wet apply shampoo and gently massage. If your cat is really dirty you can shampoo twice. Rinse your cat from top to bottom and make sure you get all of the shampoo out. Use the towels to dry your cat as best as you can then finish the job off with a hairdryer.

Cleaning your cats ears

Cleaning your cat's ears should be a part of your grooming routine. To get rid of the dirt and wax, use a cotton swab but never go deeper than you can see because it can cause permanent damage to your cats hearing. It should be done every month.

Dental Care

Many people do not brush their cats teeth often enough, some have never done it. If your cat's teeth are not brushed, bacteria will build up and could result in loss of teeth. You should brush your cat's teeth every week. If you have a kitten you should start brushing when all of its 36 teeth have grown which is around 6 months of age. If you have an adult cat, introduce slowly and keep the sessions short.

You can buy special toothbrushes designed for cats but a child's toothbrush will be just as good, just make sure the bristles are soft so they do not cut the gums. Do not use normal toothpaste because it will cause digestive problems and make your cat sick. You can buy special cat toothpaste from your pet shop, vet or online.

To properly brush your cat's teeth start by gently brushing the outer surface of the teeth. Do not brush the inside of the teeth until your cat is used to the process. Brush in a circular motion from the bottom of the gum to the tips of the teeth. Some cats require professional cleaning when there is a severe build up of tartar. When brushing your cat's teeth note the condition of your cat's gums.

Consult your vet if the gums are swollen, if there is any bleeding, bad breath, drooling, dark spots, sores, refusal to open mouth or reluctance to eat. If your cat has any of these symptoms there is a chance that it has gum disease. Gum disease is common in cats and can be fatal unless treated. It begins with the build up of plaque and tartar which causes the roots to become infected. This can be prevented by regular brushing.

Why Not Own Some Beautiful Tropical Pet FishAuthor: John Hubert

Are you thinking about owning tropical fish? Then you're in for a treat - there are many reasons why these little beauties make great pets, and some of those reasons may actually surprise you! So if you're still on the fence about whether or not you want to spend your money at the fish store, let's take a closer look at some reasons and benefits - that's right, we said benefits - that you may want to consider when it comes to choosing tropical fish as your new pets.

For one thing, there are many apartment dwellers today or those who live in limited space. Even the smallest cat may take up some room because of his or her litter box and may not even be allowed in an apartment because of potential damage. But most apartment managers allow tropical fish because they don't scratch the carpet, make messes on anything, or disturb the neighbors. And for those who aren't even limited by an apartment's rules, consider that tropical fish don't need to be walked, groomed, scooped up after, and won't tear up the rosebushes or leave you a dead mouse as a gift. They don't get fleas and won't get into fights with other neighborhood fish and won't give you a litter of six or seven babies that you somehow need to give away.

While there is still some work involved in keeping tropical fish, they are usually some of the lowest maintenance pets you can own which is good for anyone that doesn't want to put a lot of work into keeping a pet, someone that travels often and will need someone else to care for their pet, or someone that doesn't have all the time in the world to devote to an animal. They can also be great pets for families with young children as dogs and cats sometimes don't interact well with children while tropical fish usually get along with everyone.

It's believed by some that keeping tropical fish can actually be very relaxing. Some doctors believe that looking at fish has a calming effect on anyone, as being over-stimulated by television shows and even the news can be agitating to a person even if they don't realize it. But just sitting quietly and watching tropical fish can be very calming and soothing.

They also make for great educational pets as well. If you introduce your children to the world of tropical fish they can get a firsthand feel for how the oceans and lakes really work and what it looks like underwater. They can also better understand how pollution really affects the environment as they see the water get dirty or cloudy when it needs to be cleaned. By having them feed the fish and help as much as they can with cleaning the tank, young children too are taught responsibility and can really enjoy having tropical fish as they bond with each one and see how they interact together.

Franklin Pet Memorials“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”

Pets are very important members of a family. They are wonderful companions who offer their owners unconditional love. A cat or a dog can definitely be counted on for comfort in lonely times. They are very generous with their affection. All they ask in return is a warm place to sleep, a bowl of water and nutritious food. Considering all they give their owners, these requests could be seen as trivial. Although providing food and shelter for pets may not be a big deal, it is imperative they receive exactly what they need.

There are many kinds of pet food on the market today. If shopping for pet food an individual will find all sorts of well-known brand names as well as no name brands. If buying from a pet store or veterinarian there are special diets available. It's very important to know what you are feeding your pets. Some pet foods may taste great to your cat or dog but contain very little nutrients. Just as humans need nutrients and vitamins to maintain a healthy body, pets need them also. Many pets are fed from the family table. Owners may assume feeding their pets table food provides them with proper nutrition. This is not necessarily true. After all, not all humans are in the habit of maintaining healthy diets. Sure pets love table scraps and are not likely to turn them down but are they actually benefiting them or hurting them?

Vitamins and minerals are very important in a pet's diet. When pet food is initially made or processed there are vitamins and minerals added. However through the processing stages many of these are lost. When pet food is exposed to light and air many of the nutrients are broken down and therefore the pet is not receiving the intended amounts. This is where multivitamins come into the picture. Multivitamins are important for your pets. Because much of the needed nutrients are not included in pet food or lost before the pet gets them, multivitamin supplements are an excellent way to insure pets receive the recommended amount. Just as there are multivitamin supplements for humans, there are multivitamin supplements for pets.

Why are multivitamins so important for your pets? As with humans, pets are subjected to sickness and disease. A proper diet, including necessary vitamins and minerals help to insure a pet is fully guarded against common diseases seen in pets. Multivitamins are able to boost your pet's immune system, preparing them for fighting off parasites and disease. Multivitamins are important for your pet's heart health and to insure healthy gums and teeth. As pets age these issues become more and more important and so multivitamins are definitely recommended for aging pets.

An issue that tends to torment pets, especially dogs as the age is bone and joint disease. Often termed as arthritis, there are several types of bone disease seen in these pets which affect different areas of their bodies. Pets, unlike humans are unable to verbally express their pain and suffering. They may be silently suffering with excruciating joint pain, unknown to their owners. With time this pain will become visible in the way the pet walks and moves around. Multivitamins can help pets maintain healthy joints and bones. A pet requires certain minerals and vitamins to maintain joint and bone health. Because owners aren't certain they are receiving these necessities in their pet food, multivitamin supplements are important.

You know now that multivitamins are important for your pets, which multivitamin supplements should you give them and where do you buy them? Perhaps the best person to ask about multivitamin recommendations for your pet is their doctor, the veterinarian. Through regular examinations your pet's vet will recognize any abnormalities that might exist. If your pet is showing signs of poor health in their joints and/or bones, the vet will know what they need. Proper multivitamins can help your pet's joints and bones, helping them to live a longer and more enjoyable life.

The Internet is a great resource for information about the importance of multivitamins for your pets. There are countless websites which are dedicated to pets and their wellness. These sites provide beneficial details about the relevance of specific vitamins and minerals for your pet's health. Researching and learning all you can about what your pet needs will help you insure they hang around for a long time. Just as there are many types of pet food on the market, there are many kinds of multivitamins on the market for your pets. Not all pets require the same dosages of multivitamins so it's imperative to learn what your pet needs before adding them to your pet's daily regime. Your pets love you. Return that love by providing them with multivitamins.